Dave’s Hot Chicken is strengthening its presence in Washington State with plans to open its first restaurant in Lynnwood, adding another milestone to the brand’s rapid franchise expansion across the Pacific Northwest.
The Nashville-style hot chicken chain has signed a lease for a 2,506-square-foot end-cap restaurant at 18505 Alderwood Mall Parkway, located in the Freeway X Building near Alderwood Mall. The Lynnwood outlet is expected to open before the end of 2026, becoming the company’s fifth operating restaurant in the Puget Sound region and its first in the city.
The new restaurant builds on Dave’s Hot Chicken’s growing momentum in Washington, where the brand entered the market in 2023 with its first location on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Since then, it has expanded to Redmond, Tacoma and Federal Way, while additional restaurants are already planned for West Seattle, Puyallup and Issaquah, highlighting the company’s confidence in the region’s growing demand for premium fast-casual chicken concepts.
The Lynnwood site occupies a strategic location within one of Snohomish County’s busiest retail corridors, offering strong visibility and access to shoppers visiting Alderwood Mall and surrounding commercial developments.
Dave’s Hot Chicken traces its origins to a modest East Hollywood parking lot, where founders Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan and Gary Rubenyan launched the concept in 2017 with just $900 and a portable fryer.
That humble start has evolved into one of the restaurant industry’s fastest-growing franchise systems.
Dave’s Hot Chicken began franchising in 2019 and has since become one of North America’s fastest-growing quick-service brands. The company has awarded more than 1,000 franchise commitments globally and has expanded across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the Middle East. The brand surpassed 390 restaurants worldwide this year and continues to sign experienced multi-unit franchise operators to fuel further domestic and international growth.
The company entered a new chapter in 2025 when it was acquired by Roark Capital in a deal valued at approximately $1 billion. The investment is expected to accelerate store development, strengthen international expansion and support continued franchise recruitment.
Earlier this year, Dave’s Hot Chicken also appointed Jim Bitticks as Chief Executive Officer to lead the next phase of growth following the acquisition.
Beyond its rapid expansion, Dave’s Hot Chicken has attracted several high-profile investors, including Drake, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Strahan, Maria Shriver and Tom Werner, helping elevate the brand’s profile while supporting its ambitious franchise development strategy.
Known for its streamlined menu of hot chicken tenders and sliders served with seven spice levels from No Spice to the signature Reaper, the chain has built a loyal following around its Nashville-inspired offering, with all locations serving halal chicken.
The upcoming Lynnwood restaurant represents another step in Dave’s Hot Chicken’s nationwide growth strategy as the franchise continues to target high-traffic suburban markets while expanding its presence in major metropolitan areas across North America.
